having gotten into their Hands great Riches and Treasure, by engrossing our Commodities, suddenly departed the Realm; and many times stole away with other Mens Goods, without any Notice given thereof; and that under colour of Merchandize and Religion, many Intelligencers and Spies adventured to come hither. These were some of the Reasons which Sir Thomas Mildmay abovementioned used to persuade the Queen to grant a Register.

But the wiser and better sort were rather for cherishing these Strangers, as well perceiving what Advantages they brought to the Nation, both for their Callings and Examples of Thrift and Diligence, as also by rendring the Queen's Enemy weaker by the dispeopling his Countries, and abating of his Trade and Traffic. They had also a religious Compassion for such as left their own Country and Friends, and plentiful Living, (as most of them did) for the sake of God and Truth. Of this Temper and Judgment was the wise Lord Treasurer Burghley. For when in the Year 1588, great Labour was used to make Strangers employ their Monies received for foreign Goods and Commodities, in other home Commodities to be transported abroad, and not by Exchange; he was against urging it to rigorously, because he saw it would drive away Strangers, which in those Days ought, as he said, rather to be cherished than hardly dealt withal, or exacted upon.

Nor were they backward to assist the Queen according to their Ability, and to do as other Subjects did. Thus in that Critical year 1588, there being a Loan charged by the Queen upon the City, the Companies and Mysteries of London subscribed each distinctly. Then did the Strangers also subscribe among themselves the Sum of 4900l. Their Names, and the Sums they subscribed, were as follows.

In the Year 1595, the poor Tradesmen made a Riot upon the Strangers in Southwark, and other Parts of the City of London; whereupon was a Presentment of the great Inquest for the said Borough, concerning the outragious Tumult and Disorder unjustly committed there upon Thursday, June 12. 1595, and the Leaders were punished, and also the chief Offenders.

The like Tumults began at the same time within the Liberties (as they are called) where such Strangers commonly harboured. And upon the Complaint of the Elders of the Dutch and French Churches, Sir John Spencer, Lord Maior, commited some young Rioters to the Counter. And when some of their Fellow-Apprentices and Servants gathered in a Body, and attempted to break open the Counter, and deliver the Prisoners, the Maior went out in Person, and took twenty, or more of them, and committed all to safe Custody; and promised to proceed against them with all Severity, as he signified in a Letter to the Lord Keeper, dated 12th of June, 1595.

The State of the poor French Protestant Refugees Anno 1687, was this. Their Numbers that were relieved by a Brief that Year, were 15500 Persons; whereof 13500 were in and about London, and 2000 in several Sea-port Towns. Of these were 140 Families of Persons of Quality; 183 Ministers with their Families; 144 Families of Lawyers, Physicians, Merchants and Citizens; the rest Artificers, Husbandmen, &c. And considerable Numbers of them more were still at that time coming over. The Collection that was made for them in London, and other Parts of the Nation in the abovesaid Year 1687. amounted to 40000l. paid into the Chamber of London; and not long after 2000l. more was paid in. Fifteen French Churches, or convenient Places for the Worship of God, were erected by means of this Collection; viz. three in London, and twelve in several Counties; besides those great Numbers before-mentioned, relieved thereby.

The Christian Hospitality of King Charles II. towards these Refugees, in the Reception of them some Years before, appears by this that follows:

On the 21st of July, 1681, there was a Memorial presented to King Charles II. in behalf of the distressed Protestants abroad: Which he referred to the Consideration of the Lords Committees of the Council Board for Trade and Plantations, with Directions to report their Opinion thereupon. Which they accordingly did, July 28. following in Council. And then the King in Council at Hampton Court did declare, "That he held himself obliged in Honour and Conscience to comfort and support all such afflicted Protestants, who, by reason of the Rigors and Severities which were used towards them upon account of their Religion, should be forced to quit their native Country, and should desire to shelter themselves under his Majesty's Royal Protection, for the Preservation and free Exercise of their Religion: And in order hereunto, his Majesty was pleased further to declare, that he would grant unto every such distressed Protestant, who should come hither for Refuge, and reside here, his Letters of Denization under the Great Seal, without any Charge whatsoever; and likewise such further Privileges and Immunities as were consistent with the Laws, for the Liberty and free Exercise of their Trades and Handicrafts; and that he would likewise recommend it to his Parliament at their next Meeting, to pass an Act for the general Naturalization of all such Protestants as should come over as aforesaid; and for the further enlarging their Liberties and Franchises granted to them by his Majesty, as reasonably might be necessary for them. And "